SportsLine’s Top Weekend Picks: NBA Playoffs Get Interesting

The home team has won and covered all five games in this series, but the boost of a healthy John Wall for Washington still isn’t being factored in enough here. In two of the three games at Toronto, the Wizards were equal or capable of winning. In both of their home games, the Wizards were noticeably the better team. The Wizards even the series Friday.

The Pacers have stayed with the Cavaliers in every single game in this series. Each Cleveland win has required a huge LeBron James performance, and he keeps making the difference down the stretch. But in a must-win situation, I expect Indiana to adjust defensively and at least slow LeBron down. They can win this game, so I’m siding with the home team here. Lay the small number.

I’m still sickened that the Jazz blew a 71-46, third-quarter lead to the Thunder, culminating in the third-biggest comeback in NBA Playoffs history (mostly because I took Utah ). The remarkable rally doesn’t change what we’ve seen all series, that the Jazz have the tools to take out the Thunder. If Utah’s bigs can stay out of foul trouble — Russell Westbrook and Co. took advantage of opened lanes after fouls altered Utah’s rotation on Wednesday — look for the Jazz to build up another sizeable lead. This time, without a historic comeback.

The Celtics are going to close this series out at home, and this number is too small for a playoff game. Playoff lines are usually inflated due to teams fouling in end-of-game situations, and as long as they have the lead, the Celts will be in a good spot to cover this number. Lay the points.

The Warriors showed they are still an incredibly dangerous team in the playoffs when their starters (and Andre Iguodala) play heavy minutes. The Pelicans need Jrue Holiday to play like a superstar to have a shot at this series, and I expect Holiday to struggle against the size of Klay Thompson, while Draymond Green works on Anthony Davis. Lay the large number.